TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- Ultimately, the reason why Vinnie Sunseri opted to leave Alabama one year early for the NFL Draft was one of the biggest reasons why many doubted his decision.

Shortly after he underwent season-ending knee surgery, Sunseri set a "four-month countdown" for when he planned to be back up to speed. It was a lofty goal, but it was one that became more and more realistic as the days and months elapsed.

Tuesday's workout at Alabama's second Pro Day provided the sort of validation Sunseri expected ever since he made his final decision.

"A lot of guys were saying ‘He’s coming knee surgery, I don’t know if he’ll be able to do a lot of stuff, I don’t know if he’ll be able to do a pro day,'" said Sunseri, who is projected as a Day 3 selection in May's NFL Draft. "Well, obviously, I did my pro day. I ran fairly good for a safety. I did all my footwork stuff, I did all my drills, showed I was able to open up, showed that the knee was good, had a little plant and drive.

"My decision ... I knew I could trust in myself."

Sunseri, as he promised two months ago at the NFL Combine, worked out for more than two hours in front of a small group of scouts. He improved his bench press repetitions from 18 to 21, posted a 40-yard dash time anywhere from 4.48-4.52 seconds and went through a number of position drills.

At one point, he criss-crossed through a grid and caught passes from his older brother Tino, the former Pittsburgh quarterback who played for the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2013

"I felt like I was going into my first football game since Oct. 19, waking up nervous," Sunseri said. "I went through my football routine. Woke up took a shower. Went through my starts on my 40 just like I was about to go play a football game. It was great to be back on the campus and see everybody.

"Just an unbelievable experience."

Throughout his rehabilitation and training in Pensacola, Fla., Sunseri said he's tried to emulate Adrian Peterson, the All-Pro NFL running back who famously bounced back from an ACL tear he incurred in his final game of 2011 by winning MVP in the following season. Sunseri's therapist, Kevin Wilk, worked with Peterson and has told Sunseri that he's following a similar path back to 100 percent health.

Working in Sunseri's favor is that his ACL tear was "clean" and did not affect any of the other ligaments.

"I felt awesome," Sunseri said. "I ran what I wanted to run. I was smooth in my drills like I wanted to be smooth. A lot of good things. It was a good day.

"They got me back to where I need to be and I feel ready. I feel really, really ready."